MCPF JOINS CALL FOR VAPING BAN

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) has joined the call for sale of smoking devices such as e-cigarettes or vapes to be banned or at least temporarily suspended to allow for further research into more effective mechanisms and policies for controlling their use.

Its senior vice chairman Datuk Seri Ayub Yaakob said this would include educating the public on the

Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 which came into force on Oct 1, alongside effective and systematic enforcement to prevent misuse of these devices by children under the age of 18.

bootstrap slideshow

Ayub expressed full support for the proposal by the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, to impose an outright ban on e-cigarettes or vapes to avoid further harm to society, particularly among teenagers and schoolchildren.

"Although vape liquids do not have a drug-like effect on the body, the use of flavourings like 'magic mushroom' can cause hallucinations and other negative effects on users," he said in a statement today.

Ayub added that Malaysia should take a leaf from its neighbour, Singapore, which has banned both the use and sale of vapes.

bootstrap slideshow

Under Singaporean law, individuals found in possession of, buying, or using e-cigarettes and related components can be fined up to S$2,000 (RM7,000) for each offence.

Under Singaporean law, individuals found in possession of, buying, or using e-cigarettes and related components can be fined up to S$2,000 (RM7,000) for each offence.

 MCPF, Ayub said, believes Malaysia should learn from past mistakes that have led to the country's failure in effectively addressing the drug issue, which remains the nation's number one enemy to this day.

"The addiction to intoxicating substances not only negatively impacts brain development but also leads to unhealthy activities such as snatch theft, rape, and more. Therefore, MCPF believes this issue must be viewed comprehensively," he said.

Last Monday, Al-Sultan Abdullah, expressing concern over drug abuse in Pahang, said through information received from the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK),approximately 11,750 individuals are currently under the agency's surveillance, with 57 per cent of them aged between 15 and 30.

"There are certain districts that need attention. One of the reasons for involvement is starting with cigarettes, then vaping (e-cigarettes), which damage health. I will inform the government that these vape devices need to be completely banned," His Royal Highness said.

In 2015, the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, was reported to have issued a decree banning the sale and use of vapes in the state starting from Jan 1, 2016, making it the first state in the country to do so.

Yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad was reported as saying that the government would maintain its stance of not imposing a nationwide ban on the sale of vapes but the matter would be left to the state local authorities to determine their own policies.

— BERNAMA